Once Upon a Rose - Softcover

O'Brien, Judith

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1451677693 ISBN 13: 9781451677690

Publisher: Gallery Books, 2011

Synopsis

While shooting a music video on location in England’s Hampton Court Palace, country-western star Deanie Bailey ducks into a castle for solace and finds herself 400 years in the past. A force has brought Deanie into the Duke of Hamilton’s life, and to a bygone era to change the future—and to fall madly in love.

About this title

About the Author:

Writing romance novels has got to be the way to make a living in the world. What other career allows you to send the kids off to school, walk the dog, and vanish into the most fascinating of historical times and places, with the most glorious of men, to escape danger and find everlasting love for the rest of the day?
Like most writers, I knew early on that I wanted to be a writer. Well, almost. Actually, writing was the third choice on my short list of career possibilities, right after Fairy Princess and Prima Ballerina. The first two didn't work out. So after college I moved to New York, where I worked for Seventeen Magazine. Not only had I never really been to New York before, but I believe I was the only editorial assistant in the magazine industry who still wore knee socks. Soon I was promoted to Editor of the "Letters to the Editor" department. Yes, there really IS an editor for the letters to the editor column. But it allowed me to write articles, answer the personal problems of teens (boys and zits were the big topics of concern), and rummage through the back files of the magazine. I found Sylvia Plath's original carbon of a short story she submitted while still in high school. There were articles on up-and-coming talents with names like Judy Holiday, Marlon Brando and Elvis. And very occasionally I was employed as a last-minute makeover subject. That was me looking miserable after getting the "Brideshead Revisited" bob.
Then I lucked into a fabulous job - as a jacket copy writer at a publishing house called Pocket Books. There I first read Jude Deveraux, Judith McNaught and Julie Garwood in manuscript form, and from those I would compose the blurbs for the book covers. It was heaven. I would read straight through my lunch hour, thus accounting for the chicken salad and iced tea on the returned manuscripts. But as much as I loved reading those marvelous stories, what I really wanted to do was to write one. Just one. Just to see what would happen.
Life interfered. I went back into magazines, this time at Self as an editor and writer. I got married, then had my son. I was still on maternity leave, writing general health articles while bouncing a newborn on my knee, that I began to dream once again of writing a romance novel. So that is exactly what I did. And I modestly claim to have written the most horrendous first three chapters of ANY book, in ANY genre, at ANY time in history. Unfortunately, still addled by the turmoil of being a new mom (hey, it's an excuse), I actually sent the wretched chapters to agents and publishers.
The rejections were polite form letters. Dozens of them. I shoved them into a bottom drawer and stuck to articles, becoming a free-lance writer and full-time mom. A few years later I gave romance writing another try. This time I sent it to only one person, Linda Marrow, with whom I had worked at Pocket Books years earlier. I certainly did not expect her to accept the manuscript. But I did hope she would let me know which editor at whatever house just might be interested in my time-travel romance.
Instead, I received a call from Linda three days later, offering me a two book contract.
Now I am a single mom. My son is twelve. I live in Brooklyn. And I'm lucky enough to write romance novels for a living. So please excuse me while I slip into something more comfortable. Such as Civil War Atlanta, or Tudor England, or Georgian Ireland, or....Did I mention how much I love this job?

Review:

While shooting a music video in England, country music star Deanie Bailey decides to tour a famous maze. But instead of just getting lost, she gets transported back to the year 1540 during the reign of King Henry VIII! The first person she meets is the dashing Kit Neville, duke of Hamilton. He seems to accept her story without question and becomes her only ally. As Deanie learns to adjust to the different time-- and dazzles the king with her songs-- she realizes she's falling in love with Kit. The girl from Nashville promises to turn England on its ear-- and steal the heart of a duke. Kit does his best to keep Deanie out of trouble, but when she gains favor with the king it is all he can do to protect her. These are dangerous times and anyone could betray Deanie-- but Kit also has a secret of his own. He doesn't belong in 1540 either. When the king decides to take Deanie for his mistress, Kit is forced to protect the woman he loves. But no one can refuse the king and not pay the consequences. Caught up in history, Deanie learns first hand about King Henry VIII and his dislike for his fourth wife, Anne of Cleves. She tells Kit that they must stay in 1540 for a little while and help the people she has come to care about. Time is running out for them and if they have any hope of saving themselves, they must try the maze again. But will they end up in the same place together? Or will the magic that brought them together tear them apart?Judith O'Brien takes us on a magical romp into history with two very special characters! The charming plot is thoroughly entertaining! Once Upon a Rose is a rare delight! Entertaining glimpses of historical figures serve as a backdrop for romance! A memorable read! The genre of time travel has been enriched by the gifted Judith O'Brien! Her unique stories are fresh and delightful! Judith O'Brien delivers a first rate tale! This is a not-to-be-missed book! Kristina Wright -- Copyright © 1994-97 Literary Times, Inc. All rights reserved -- From Literary Times

About this edition

• Publisher: Gallery Books
• Publication date: 2011
• ISBN 10: 1451677693
• ISBN 13: 9781451677690
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 352